Roddy Collins steered Carlisle United to safety at Gay Meadow last night and then told supporters that the Cumbrians will never again face a fight for their Football League lives.

Roddy Collins steered Carlisle United to safety at Gay Meadow last night and then told supporters that the Cumbrians will never again face a fight for their Football League lives.

Brian Wake's hat-trick ensured Brunton Park will host Third Division football next season and sent Shrewsbury tumbling out of the league on a tense evening in Shropshire.

Town boss Kevin Ratcliffe, who later faced calls for his head from furious supporters, has promised to announce a decision on his future in the near future.

And, although Collins was greatly relieved to have avoided a final day of drama against Bournemouth on Saturday, the Irishman was reluctant to celebrate with the ranks of the jubilant United supporters.

"It's a great relief but it's not a time for celebration," said the Carlisle boss, who insists his team can mount a genuine promotion challenge next season.

"You don't celebrate when you're third-bottom of the league and, if champagne is sent into the dressing room, we won't drink it because we don't deserve it yet.

"Of course I'm happy that we have done it. You never think that you're going to go down but when it gets to this stage, you start to get a bit worried.

"The players have done everything I have asked and I'm really pleased for the fans. They have been behind us all season and they deserve this for their loyalty.

"I have taken a massive gamble this season by relying on so many kids. I wanted to lay the foundations, put down the building blocks and that will pay dividends next season."

Although it was Wake, plucked from Northern League outfit Tow Law Town, who took the plaudits, Collins wouldn't single out any of his players on a night to remember. "I'm delighted for him, he is a good player," said the former Bohemians boss.

"But we have got a lot of good players and every one of them has played a part."

John Courtenay's complicated takeover from Michael Knighton was only completed days before the start of the campaign and having not had the benefit of a pre-season, the Cumbrians have struggled from the off.

Collins has revealed that he already has his eye on five new players. And, with a full summer to prepare, the United manager is relishing the chance to get cracking next term.

"I can't wait, I'm looking forward to it so much," he added.

"It was really difficult this year not having a pre-season. I bluffed it in the papers about the position we were in and said that we weren't in trouble. But the truth is that we have been fighting to beat relegation from day one.

"The mentality of the club is right, we have the right people here now and we will be successful. Next season will be a lot, lot better; we will be successful."

While Carlisle take on Bournemouth on Saturday, both Exeter and Swansea will be battling to try to avoid joining Shrewsbury in the Nationwide Conference.

The Gay Meadow board last night refused to discuss Ratcliffe's future at the club. But the former Everton defender has hinted that he will walk away.

"We will collect our thoughts and address it in the morning," he said. "The future can be sorted out then, there's always tomorrow. I have a wife and kids who deserve to know first."